Mar.12 (GMM) Toyota plans to stay in formula one at least until 2012 and possibly even longer, team president John Howett insists.

At the Barcelona test, the Briton addressed speculation that if another carmaker is set to join Honda in pulling out of the sport amid the global recession, it will most likely be Toyota.

"It is said that we will retreat if we do not win. But when you look at the general economic climate, all the teams have to proceed with caution, and all must be successful, which puts on the pressure," Howett is quoted as saying in the French language by the news agency AFP.

He confirmed that Toyota's current commitment is to 2012 "and perhaps longer".

"But at the same time there is such pressure on the market," Howett added. "We must provide value to the company. I am confident though: if we have a strong season, we will stay."